Why Bariatric Surgery is the BEST option if you're seeking long term weight loss

Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is performed on patients with obesity who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35 and/or 100 pounds overweight. Bariatric surgery offers sustained weight loss as compared to GLP-1 agonists medications and lifestyle changes, the data shows.

Weight loss surgery is so much more than improving your external appearance

While looking better is a bonus of losing weight, obesity affects so much more than our external appearance. Severe obesity can cause health conditions, including: 

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Pulmonary disease
• Sleep apnea
• Fatty liver

Additionally, obesity affects your lifestyle if you can’t do the things you want to do easily, such as playing with your kids or grandkids or walking across a room without losing your breath. While many people these days are looking for medication to lose weight, the data shows that once they stop taking those medications, the weight returns within a year. The yo-yo effect of losing weight quickly and then gaining it all back isn't good for your health, and taking medication for weight loss isn't a sustainable solution.

Weight loss surgery is safe, effective and underutilized

According to the CDC, obesity affects 42.4% of Americans, while only about 1% who met the bariatric surgery eligibility received treatment. It's important to understand that weight loss surgery shouldn't be looked at as a treatment of last resort, because it's safer and more effective than ever before. The safety profile for bariatric surgery is similar to surgeries commonly performed in the U.S., such as gallbladder surgery, appendectomy and knee replacement.

Surgeries, such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve, are proven to be a durable, long-lasting treatment for severe obesity. These procedures improve or resolve diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure and lead to significant weight loss. Also, the risk of death from obesity, diabetes and heart disease exceeds the risks of surgery.

Support after surgery

After you have bariatric surgery, your providers on our dedicated team at MercyOne are there to support you in your journey. Each person’s story is unique when it comes to weight loss surgery, so you’ll receive personalized care about diet, exercise and lifestyle changes. You’ll never feel alone or discouraged after you have had bariatric surgery, because you’ve got a full medical team to support you.

What about insurance coverage?

Obviously, insurance coverage is a concern when you're getting any medical procedure, and you should find out if you need preauthorization for surgery, as well as what will be covered. However, most insurance companies offer coverage for weight loss surgery for those who qualify, because it reduces their dependency on medications and can end chronic conditions altogether. At MercyOne, we’ll help you navigate conversations with your insurer and help you to fully understand your coverage.

Am I a good candidate for weight loss surgery?

The first step in deciding if you're a suitable candidate for bariatric surgery is to take the Bariatric Surgery Health Risk Assessment.The assessment takes only a few moments and is completely confidential. This easy first step could lead to accomplishing your health care goals.  

Do you qualify for bariatric surgery?

This blog was medically reviewed by a MercyOne Provider